Live Update: Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 575

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Moscow confirms Russian peacekeepers killed in Nagorno-Karabakh

A group of Russian peacekeepers were killed in Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday, when their vehicle came under small-arms fire, the Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed.

Russian president confirms trip to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that he will travel to China next month on his first foreign trip of 2023. During the visit, Putin will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Azerbaijan announces ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense announced that an agreement was reached to halt "anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 20 from 13:00 local time (9:00 GMT).

US to complete joint military drill with Armenia

US soldiers will complete a joint military exercise with Armenian forces in the Caucasus state on Wednesday as planned, and the drill was not affected by the launch of a major military operation by neighbouring Azerbaijan, according to a US military spokesperson.

Azerbaijan says to end operation in Nagorno-Karabakh once “military” lays down arms

Baku will end its "anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh if Armenian fighters lay down their weapons, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to the presidential press service.

Yemen’s Huthis voice optimism about peace negotiations with Saudis, Riyadh hails talks

Yemen's Ansarullah, aka Huthis, has expressed optimism about the quality of earlier talks in Saudi Arabia on the potential of putting an end to a war that Riyadh and its allies have been waging against the Arab country since 2015. The Kingdom has also welcomed the “positive results” of talks with the Yemeni delegation.

US, Saudi Arabia discuss security pact: Report

The US and Saudi Arabian officials are reportedly discussing the terms of a security pact resembling those with Washington’s East Asian allies, in what is viewed as an incentive for the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel.

Israeli soldiers kill 6 Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank

Israeli soldiers have killed at least five Palestinians during two raids in the occupied West Bank, and another Palestinian in a separate incident in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Int’l community cannot remain indifferent’ to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Argentina

Argentina’s leader Alberto Fernandez has called on the international community to respond to Azerbaijan’s latest offensive in the Armenian-populated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Iranian actor Arash Mir-Ahmadi dies at 52

Iranian actor Arash Mir-Ahmadi died on Tuesday at a hospital in Tehran at the age of 52 after losing a long battle with cancer.

President Raisi at UNGA: Iran supports any initiative to end Russia-Ukraine war

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday Tehran welcomes and supports any initiative for the establishment of peace between Russia and Ukraine. He also voiced Iran's readiness to play a constructive role towards cessation of the hostilities worldwide.

Uzbekistan president urges aid for Afghanistan

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for international aid for Afghanistan during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, saying that the country’s frozen assets should be used to address its “acute” humanitarian issues.

Algeria calls on ICJ to give advisory stance on Israeli occupation of Palestine

Addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune urged the International Criminal Court (ICJ) to give an advisory opinion on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.

Holy books deserve ‘legal protection’: Kazakhstan president

Addressing the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed concern about recent incidents of desecrating of Quran, calling for special protection for religious books.

Kyrgyzstan warns Afghanistan humanitarian crisis endangering whole region

Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov highlighted instability in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021.

Russia’s “Special Operation” in Ukraine; Day 574: Iran president at UNGA accuses US of “fanning flames of violence” in Ukraine

Russia, wary of NATO’s eastward expansion, began a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022 after the Western-leaning Kiev government turned a deaf ear to Moscow’s calls for its neighbor to maintain its neutrality. In the middle of the mayhem, Moscow and Kiev are trying to hammer out a peaceful solution to the conflict. Follow the latest about the Russia-Ukraine conflict here:

Bolivia voices support for Palestinian self-determination

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce has stressed the need to implement international initiatives and UN resolutions to ensure that Palestinians can have self-determination in a viable state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Report: Erdogan says Turkey backs Israel-Saudi normalisation

Ankara supports the recent attempts aimed at normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a closed-door briefing with analysts and journalists in New York, sources told Middle East Eye.

Turkey re-asserts support for Azerbaijan in dispute with Armenia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said while Ankara has supported negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region remains an Azerbaijani territory.

Qatar Emir calls for end of ‘injustice’

During his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly session, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani urged an end to injustice, particularly for the Palestinian people.

Colombia slams world powers for backing Ukraine, but not Palestinians

Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego devotes a chunk of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly to slamming what he says is the world powers’ hypocrisy in defending Ukraine but not the Palestinians.

Armenia says Azerbaijan has ‘unleashed large-scale aggression’

The Armenian Foreign Ministry has accused Azerbaijan of unleashing “another large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh,” after Baku announced local “counter-terrorism measures” in the disputed region.

Azerbaijan announces ‘counter-terrorism measures’ in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Azerbaijani military launched “counter-terrorism measures of a local nature” in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday. Baku has touted the operation as a way to “thwart large-scale provocations” by the Armenian side.

Erdogan says Turkey never needed help, support from EU

Ankara has never needed help or support from the European Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an exclusive wide-ranging interview with US media.

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